Printing 3d temperated chocolate

ABSTRACT

A method for printing a three-dimensional crystalline structure such as a chocolate layer wherein, after printing, the material has a desired crystal structure. An embodiment can include printing a liquid first layer of material with a printer onto a second layer of material having a crystal structure. Subsequently, the printed liquid first layer is processed to solidify the first layer. During the processing of the printed liquid first layer, the second layer functions as a crystal seed layer through physical contact with the printed liquid first layer and the second layer crystallizes with the crystal structure.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/719,429, filed May 22, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/666,428, filed Nov. 1, 2012 (now U.S. Pat. No.9,185,923).

FIELD OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The present teachings relate to the field of forming crystal structuresand more particularly to methods for printing a layer having a desirablecrystal structure, for example a chocolate layer having a desirabledegree of crystallization or temper.

BACKGROUND OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Various compounds can have different crystal structures depending onfactors such as temperature. For example, chocolate, and moreparticularly cocoa butter within chocolate, can generally have one ofsix crystal structures depending on how it is produced. The crystalstructures range from type I to type VI with each crystal type having adifferent melting point. Generally accepted melting points of cocoabutter crystal types are as follows: type I: 17° C.; type II: 21° C.;type III: 26° C.; type IV: 28° C.; type V: 34° C.; type VI: 36° C. TypeVI crystals require an extended duration of time (a matter of months) toform and are not found in typical chocolate.

Tempering of chocolate during production is necessary to produce aproduct with as many type V crystals as possible, which is the cocoabutter crystal structure typically used for consumer chocolate. Totemper chocolate to produce type V crystals, the chocolate can be heatedto a temperature which is higher than the type IV crystal meltingtemperature, for example 31° C. to 32° C. for a duration of time whichis sufficient to melt the type Ito type IV crystals, then cooled. Duringthe cooling, the type V crystals that remain function as crystallizationnuclei, around which other type V crystals will form.

In another method of forming type V cocoa butter crystals, a solid seedchocolate having a preponderance of type V crystal structures isdispensed into a melted chocolate which is at a temperature between thetype IV and type V crystal melting point. The type V crystals in thesolid chocolate function as crystallization nuclei for the moltenmaterial such that the melted chocolate crystallizes into a type V cocoabutter crystal structure.

Quality chocolate with a type V crystal structure has desirablecharacteristics, such as a shiny surface, a firm texture, a good snap, amelting point which is above typical ambient temperatures but generallyaround human body temperature and a texture and appearance which willnot degrade over time.

Attempts have been made to fashion three dimensional designs withchocolate using a chocolate dispenser (printer) with a controlledplacement of material. However, chocolate must be heated above the typeVI crystal structure melting point so that the chocolate flows withsufficient ease for printing, while heating chocolate to this printingtemperature can cause the chocolate to lose temper. Thus current 3Dchocolate printers result in 3D structures which do not have a highpercentage of cocoa butter type V crystal structures. Current methods ofchocolate printing can result in printed chocolates that lack therequired resistance to elevated temperatures and other desirableproperties of snap, surface finish, and texture.

SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basicunderstanding of some aspects of one or more embodiments of the presentteachings. This summary is not an extensive overview, nor is it intendedto identify key or critical elements of the present teachings nor todelineate the scope of the disclosure. Rather, its primary purpose ismerely to present one or more concepts in simplified form as a preludeto the detailed description presented later.

In an embodiment, a method for printing a three-dimensional crystallinestructure can include printing a liquid first layer of material with aprinter onto a second layer of material having a crystal structure andprocessing the printed liquid first layer to solidify the first layerwherein, during the processing of the printed liquid first layer, thesecond layer functions as a crystal seed layer through physical contactwith the printed liquid first layer and the second layer crystallizeswith the crystal structure.

In another embodiment, a method for printing an edible three-dimensionalstructure can include printing a molten first material having a firstcrystal structure with a printer onto a second material having a secondcrystal structure that is different from the first crystal structure andcooling the molten first material to solidify the first materialwherein, during the cooling of the first material, the second materialfunctions as a crystal seed layer through physical contact with thefirst material.

In another embodiment, a method for printing a three-dimensionalchocolate structure can include heating a first chocolate material to atemperature of 40° C. or above so that the first chocolate material hasa first cocoa butter crystal structure, printing the heated firstchocolate material onto a second chocolate material using a printer,wherein the second chocolate material has a type V cocoa butter crystalstructure and, after printing the heated first chocolate material,cooling the first chocolate material to solidify the first chocolatematerial wherein, during the cooling, the second chocolate materialfunctions as a crystal seed layer through physical contact with thefirst material such that, subsequent to cooling, the first chocolatematerial has a type V cocoa butter crystal structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the presentteachings and together with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the disclosure. In the figures:

FIGS. 1-4 are cross sections of a first embodiment of the presentteachings for printing a three-dimensional structure having a desiredcrystal structure;

FIG. 5 is a cross section of a second embodiment of the presentteachings for printing a three-dimensional structure having a desiredcrystal structure; and

FIGS. 6-8 are cross sections of a third embodiment of the presentteachings for forming a three-dimensional structure having a desiredcrystal structure.

It should be noted that some details of the FIGS. have been simplifiedand are drawn to facilitate understanding of the present teachingsrather than to maintain strict structural accuracy, detail, and scale.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of thepresent teachings, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be usedthroughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

As used herein, unless otherwise specified, a “printer” encompasses anyapparatus that performs a deposition of a material onto a substrate.While the present teachings are described herein with reference to aprinter that prints an edible material, specifically a chocolateprinter, it will be understood that any edible confectionery material ornon-edible material which is manufactured to include a particularcrystal structure and which is capable of crystallizing through the useof a crystallization nucleus or crystal seed may advantageouslyincorporate an embodiment of the present teachings. Additionally, forpurposes of the present description, the work “ink” is used to refer toany material that is dispensed by the printer, and can include an ediblematerial (e.g., chocolate) and/or an inedible material, for example anyelement, molecule, compound, or mixture that falls within the scope ofthe present teachings. Further, unless otherwise specified, a “molten”material includes a material that is in a non-solid form, for exampleliquid or semi-viscous.

An embodiment of the present teachings can include printing a firstmaterial which has an undesired crystal to result in a second materialthat has a desired crystal shape. The final structure may be anon-edible material used for commercial or consumer purposes. The finalstructure may also be an edible confection having a desired crystalshape such as a chocolate structure having a three dimensional (3D)shape. The text below describes the present teachings with regard to achocolate layer, but it will be understood that the present teachingsmay apply to any edible or inedible materials. In an embodiment, thecompleted 3D structure may have a desirable crystal configuration, suchas a type V cocoa butter crystal structure. An untempered moltenchocolate layer can be dispensed or printed upon a tempered chocolatebase layer such as a solid chocolate base layer having a type V cocoabutter crystal structure. As the molten chocolate is printed onto thebase layer, the solid chocolate base layer functions as a crystal seedlayer or crystallization nucleus through physical contact with theprinted layer. As the molten chocolate cools, its crystal structureconforms to that of the base layer to result in a 3D structure having adesired cocoa butter crystal structure (i.e., a desired temper).

An embodiment of the present teachings can include a method andin-process structures which can be formed during an embodiment of thepresent teachings, for example as depicted in FIGS. 1-4 and described inthe accompanying text.

FIG. 1 depicts a substrate 10 and a base layer 12 which overlies and/orcontacts the substrate 10. The substrate 10 can include a metal layer, apolymer layer, a plastic layer, etc., and may be electrically and/orthermally conductive. The base layer 12 can be a chocolate base layerhaving a particular crystal structure such as a type V cocoa buttercrystal structure. In an embodiment, the base layer 12 can have athickness of between about 1.0 micrometer (μm) and about 10.0millimeters (mm), or between about 1.0 μm and about 3.0 mm, or betweenabout 1.0 μm and about 1.0 mm. It is contemplated that a layer thinnerthan 1.0 um may be sufficient, and the base layer 12 may include a baselayer in dry powder form. The base layer 12 should be sufficiently thickto cover the substrate 10 at least where a 3D structure will be printed.For example, the base layer 12 can cover the entire upper surface of thesubstrate 10, or a perimeter of the substrate 10 can be exposed around acentrally located base layer 12. A base layer 12 which is insufficientlythick can include undesirable gaps or may fail to retain its crystallineform when hot ink is printed thereon. In certain embodiments of thepresent teachings, an excessively thick base layer 12 may not allow forprocessing as described below.

In an embodiment, the base layer 12 can be applied to the substrate 10as a molten layer having a type V crystal structure which coats at leasta portion of an upper surface of the substrate 10. After application,the molten base layer 12 can be cooled such that it solidifies with atype V crystal structure. In another embodiment, the molten base layer12 applied to the substrate 10 can have a first crystal structure, forexample that is not type V (which may be no crystal structure, a typeI-type IV crystal structure, a type VI crystal structure, or mixturesthereof), and then tempered after placement on the substrate 10 to havea desired second crystal structure, such as a type V crystal structure.Tempering of the first crystal structure to the second crystal structurecan be performed by heating the material on the substrate 10, thencooling the material.

In an embodiment, a thermally conductive substrate 10 can be activelyheated with an optional powered internal heat source 14 such as a coilthat is electrically connected (i.e., electrically coupled) to power 16and ground 18, which is heated to a temperature or a series oftemperatures in order to temper the liquid, solid, powdered, orgranulated base layer 12, or for other uses as described below. Inanother embodiment, structure 14 can represent an optional poweredinternal cooling source 14 such as a cooling coil which is cooled tomore quickly solidify a melted base layer 12 to decrease manufacturingtime. In another embodiment, element 14 can represent both an optionalheat source and an optional cooling source, so that the substrate 10 canbe heated and cooled as desired.

After forming the base layer 12 having a desired crystal structure, aprinter 20A is used to deposit a first 3D structure layer 22 onto thebase layer 12 as depicted in FIG. 2. It will be apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art that the structures such as printer 20A,substrate 10, etc., depicted in the FIGS. represent generalizedschematic illustrations and that other structures or elements can beadded or existing structures or elements can be removed or modified. Inan embodiment, the printer can include a reservoir 24A which contains asupply of material 26 and, in this embodiment, a plurality of nozzles28A through which the material 26 is printed or extruded under pressure.For printing of chocolate material 26, the chocolate can be heated to atemperature that is sufficient to melt all of the cocoa butter crystals,for example to a temperature of above 40° C., for example between about40° C. to about 60° C. Additionally, chocolate at this temperature has aviscosity that is sufficiently low so that the chocolate 26 is ejectedor flows easily through the printer 20A and out of the nozzle 28A.However, heating chocolate to this temperature for a low viscositymaterial causes the chocolate to lose its temper, as the temperaturesrequired to generate the desired in-temper crystals forms a materialthat is very thick and does not flow with sufficient ease for printing.

Printer 20A may be, for example, a drop-on-demand (DOD) ink jet printer.Ink, for example chocolate, can be ejected as a plurality of droplets 29through the nozzles using a transducer such as a piezoelectric elementwhich deflects a diaphragm as known in the art. The printer 20A may be aprinter other than a DOD ink jet printer, such as an extrusion printer,a solid ink printer, or a printer which uses other ink printingtechnology. In the case of an extrusion printer, for example, droplets29 depict extruded material 26. In the case of a DOD printer, forexample, the droplets 29 can be simultaneously ejected from theplurality of nozzles 28A as individual droplets but can be printed withsufficient density so as to form a uniform first layer 22 having adesired thickness.

As the first layer 22 is deposited onto the in-temper chocolate baselayer 12, the base layer 12 seeds crystallization in the first layer 22.As the first layer cools, its crystals take on the crystal configurationof the base layer 12 to form an in-temper 3D first layer 22. Thesubstrate 10 may be cooled using a powered internal cooling source 14 todecrease cooling time. As will be understood by one of ordinary skill,the first layer 22, as well as subsequent layers as described below,must be cooled slowly enough to allow sufficient crystal growth orformation. Cooling the material too quickly may not allow sufficienttime for the nucleating crystals to grow throughout the thickness of thenew drop or line of material using the crystal structure of the baselayer 12 as a crystal seed layer. In another embodiment, the substrate10 can be slightly heated to increase cooling time of the chocolatefirst layer 22 to maximize crystal formation. Additionally, ambient airaround the cooling surfaces can be actively or passively dehumidified toreduce or prevent water contamination of the surface. In an embodiment,the ambient air around the cooling surfaces is dehumidified to ahumidity of 50% or less.

Subsequently, a 3D second layer 30 can be printed using the printer 20Bas depicted in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 depicts a different printer 20B forillustration purposes. In contrast to printer 20A having a plurality ofnozzles 28A, printer 20B includes a single nozzle 28B which prints allmaterial. Printer 20B can be a single nozzle DOD printer, an extrusionprinter, etc. Generally, the same printer may be used to print each ofthe printed layers.

Because the crystal structure of the 3D first layer 22 takes on thecrystal structure of the base layer 12, the second layer 30 takes on thecrystal structure of the 3D first layer 22 through physical contact,such that the first layer 22 function as a crystallization nucleus forthe second layer 30.

Similarly, any number of additional layers 32 can be printed to build ormanufacture a desired 3D shape as depicted in FIG. 3. A delay can beimplemented after printing each layer so that a printed layersufficiently cools and crystallizes before applying a subsequent layer.In an embodiment, the base layer 12 can have a first color, the firstlayer 22 can have a second color that can be the same or different fromthe first color, and any of the additional layers 32 can have a thirdcolor that is the same or different than the first color and/or thesecond color.

After the 3D structure 40 has been completed, it may be removed from thebase layer 12 as depicted in FIG. 4. In an embodiment, the 3D structuremay be removed from the base layer 12 using a blade, which may or maynot be heated, to separate the 3D layer 40 from the base layer 12. Inanother embodiment, the optional heat source 14 within the substrate 10can be heated sufficiently to melt the base layer 12, and the 3Dstructure 40 can be lifted from the base layer 12 using mechanicaltechniques or by a human operator. In yet another embodiment, a verythin base layer 12 or a base layer 12 in powder or granulated form isused such that regions of the base layer 12 which do not have anoverlying layer of printed material 22, 30, 32 are left behind on thesubstrate 10 when the 3D structure is removed.

It is contemplated that, generally, the base layer 12 may remain as apart of the completed 3D structure. If the base layer 12 is to remain aspart of the 3D structure, the base layer 12 can be formed on a releaselayer 50 to facilitate removal of the structure including layers 12, 22,30, and 32 from the substrate 10. In an embodiment, for example whenprinting a chocolate layer as the ink, the release layer 50 can be aparchment paper or another release layer. As depicted in FIG. 5, therelease layer 50 is interposed between the substrate 10 and the baselayer 12 to facilitate removal of the 3D structure 40, including thebase layer 12, from the substrate 10.

In another embodiment in which the base layer 12 is not part of the 3Dstructure, the release layer 50 as depicted in FIG. 5 can be placed ontothe substrate 10 prior to formation of the base layer 12, or the baselayer 12 can be formed on the parchment paper 50, and the assemblyincluding the parchment paper 50 and the base layer 12 can be placedonto the substrate 10. Subsequently, the 3D structure 40 is formedaccording to the present teachings. Next, the parchment paper 50 withthe overlying layers 12, 40 are removed from the substrate 10.

In another embodiment, after forming the 3D structure as depicted inFIG. 5, the parchment paper 50, base layer 12, and 3D structure 40 canbe lifted off the substrate 10. Due to the low adhesion of the parchmentpaper 50, the paper 50 can be peeled off the base layer 12. Next, thebase layer 12 can be abraded away using one of the techniques describedabove, or melted away, to leave the 3D structure 40.

Another embodiment of the present teachings is depicted in the crosssections of FIGS. 6-8. As depicted in FIG. 6, a base layer 60 is formedon a substrate 10 to a sufficient thickness to function as a seed layerfor one or more subsequent layers deposited using a printer 20A, such asa DOD printer. In this embodiment, the base layer 60 is a seed layer incrystal powder or granule form. After layering the substrate 10 with thepowder base layer 60, the printer 20A prints a desired first layer 62which includes portions 62A and 62B by ejecting a plurality of inkdroplets 29 from the nozzles 28A in accordance with other embodiments ofthe present teachings. Because the printer 20A is a drop-on-demandprinter, various different shapes as desired can be printed. In thisembodiment, the base layer 60 has a desired crystal structure while thedroplets 29 are heated for printing, and have a crystal structure whichis different from the base layer 60. Through contact with the base layer60, which functions as a crystal seed layer, the printed first layer 62takes on the crystal form of the base layer 60.

Next, a second layer of crystal powder 70 is applied over the substrate10 as depicted in FIG. 7. The second layer of crystal powder 70 caninclude the same material as base layer 60. Subsequently, a secondprinted layer 72 including portions 72A-C is printed over the crystalpowder 70. Through contact with the crystal powder 70, portions 72A and72C form with the crystal structure of the crystal powder 70 by usingthe crystal powder 70 as a crystallization nucleus. Portion 72B contactsboth the crystal powder 70 and the first layer 62B, and thus forms withthe crystal structure of the powder 70 and the first layer 62B.Additional powder layers can be deposited and additional layers can beprinted as desired to form a 3D structure.

Next, the powder layers 60, 70 are removed. The powder layers 60, 70 canbe removed by any sufficient process, for example by blowing the powderlayers away using an air stream, by vacuuming the layers away, byrinsing, or removed using some other removal process. After the crystalpowder layers 60, 70 are removed, the desired 3D structure as depictedin FIG. 8 remains.

Thus the present teachings can result in a printed 3D structure, forexample a chocolate structure, that has a desired crystalline structure.In the case of chocolate, the 3D structure can have a desirable temper,for example a type V cocoa butter crystal structure. An in-temper baselayer can be used as a crystallization nucleus or crystal seed for aprinted chocolate layer. The base layer can be formed mechanicallywithout the use of 3D printing. The base layer should be sufficientlythick so as to prevent complete melting to the point of losing itscrystalline structure when a drop of chocolate or a chocolate strip atelevated temperatures is printed on top. This base layer then functionsas a crystal seed to nucleate crystallization of the chocolate printedon top in the desired form. Subsequent drops or strips of chocolate willthen be nucleated by the previous drops in the proper crystal form.

The chocolate in-temper base layer serves a number of purposes. First,by acting as a nucleation site, it accelerates the rate ofsolidification of the chocolate printed thereon. Second, the chocolatesproduced using the printer can be in temper. Third, because the printedchocolates are in temper, they have the desirable characteristicsassociated with in-temper chocolates, such as being more stable with ahigher melting point than untempered chocolates, a desirable snap, and ashiny surface.

For use with materials other than chocolate, it is contemplated that aliquid material printed with a non-desirable crystal structure can beprocessed, for example by heating, to remove (evaporate) one or moresolvents or other thinning component and to solidify the liquid materialto form a solid layer. As the solvent is removed the liquid printedmaterial is seeded to a desired crystal structure by the base layer asthe liquid printed material solidifies.

As described above, a first layer of material having a first crystalstructure may be printed onto a second layer of material having a secondcrystal structure. The printing may be done via a drop-on-demand inkjetprinter or an extrusion printer. The first layer of material and/or thesecond layer of material may be edible. More particularly, the firstlayer of material and/or the second layer of material may include saltand/or sugar, as described in greater detail below. For example thefirst layer of material and/or the second layer of material may be orinclude chocolate.

The first layer of material may include a solvent. The solvent may be orinclude water, ethyl alcohol, or a combination thereof. The first layerof material may include salt or sugar (e.g., sucrose) dissolved in thesolvent. In one embodiment, the first layer of material may include saltdissolved in water. In another embodiment, the first layer of materialmay include sugar (e.g., sucrose) dissolved in a combination of waterand ethyl alcohol. Salt and/or sugar dissolved in the solvent may haveno crystalline structure. The second layer of material may include saltor sugar. The second layer of material may have no, or onlyminimal/trace amounts of, solvent.

The first and second crystal structures are different. In oneembodiment, the second crystal structure may be a face-centered cubiccrystal structure. In another embodiment, the second crystal structuremay be or include a single crystal, which may have some defects. Salt(e.g., NaCl) may have a face-centered cubic structure, and sugar (e.g.,sucrose) having both fructose and glucose may crystallize into amonoclinic space group P2 i. For example, the second layer of materialmay be a singly crystal of sugar (e.g., sucrose) in a face-centeredcubic structure.

After the first layer of material is printed onto the second layer ofmaterial, the first layer of material may be processed. Processing mayinclude heating the first layer of material (e.g., using a heater),cooling the first layer of material (e.g., via evaporation), and/ormoving air across the first layer of material (e.g., using a fan).Processing the first layer of material may remove at least a portion ofthe solvent (e.g., via evaporation). In addition to evaporation, thesolvent effluent may also be removed from the printing region orenclosure. In response to at least a portion of the solvent beingremoved, the first layer of material may convert from a substantiallyliquid state to a substantially solid state. In addition, processing thefirst layer of material may also cause the crystal structure of thefirst layer of material to change from the first crystal structure tothe second crystal structure through physical contact between the firstlayer of material and the second layer of material (e.g., using thesecond layer of material as a crystal seed layer). For example, patternsof the first layer of material and the second layer of material may formpart of a single crystal including both the first and second layer ofmaterial. More particularly, the solvent is evaporated, and the secondlayer of material seeds the crystallization of the sugar (e.g., sucrose)into an extension of the face-centered cubic structure of the singlecrystal structure (of the second layer of material).

In at least one embodiment, where the solvent includes water, ambientair around the first and/or second layers of material may bedehumidified during the processing of the first layer of material. In atleast one embodiment, the first layer of material and second layer ofmaterial may be cooled (e.g., by evaporation of solvent duringprocessing). After processing the first layer to remove the solvent, thelayers are heated before the next layer of material is printed. Inanother embodiment, the first layer of material may be heated whilecooling the first layer of material to increase a cooling time of thefirst layer of material.

Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forththe broad scope of the present teachings are approximations, thenumerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported asprecisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently containscertain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation foundin their respective testing measurements. Moreover, all ranges disclosedherein are to be understood to encompass any and all sub-ranges subsumedtherein. For example, a range of “less than 10” can include any and allsub-ranges between (and including) the minimum value of zero and themaximum value of 10, that is, any and all sub-ranges having a minimumvalue of equal to or greater than zero and a maximum value of equal toor less than 10, e.g., 1 to 5. In certain cases, the numerical values asstated for the parameter can take on negative values. In this case, theexample value of range stated as “less than 10” can assume negativevalues, e.g. −1, −2, −3, −10, −20, −30, etc.

While the present teachings have been illustrated with respect to one ormore implementations, alterations and/or modifications can be made tothe illustrated examples without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe appended claims. For example, it will be appreciated that while theprocess is described as a series of acts or events, the presentteachings are not limited by the ordering of such acts or events. Someacts may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other actsor events apart from those described herein. Also, not all processstages may be required to implement a methodology in accordance with oneor more aspects or embodiments of the present teachings. It will beappreciated that structural components and/or processing stages can beadded or existing structural components and/or processing stages can beremoved or modified. Further, one or more of the acts depicted hereinmay be carried out in one or more separate acts and/or phases.Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “including,” “includes,”“having,” “has,” “with,” or variants thereof are used in either thedetailed description and the claims, such terms are intended to beinclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.” The term “atleast one of” is used to mean one or more of the listed items can beselected. Further, in the discussion and claims herein, the term “on”used with respect to two materials, one “on” the other, means at leastsome contact between the materials, while “over” means the materials arein proximity, but possibly with one or more additional interveningmaterials such that contact is possible but not required. Neither “on”nor “over” implies any directionality as used herein. The term“conformal” describes a coating material in which angles of theunderlying material are preserved by the conformal material. The term“about” indicates that the value listed may be somewhat altered, as longas the alteration does not result in nonconformance of the process orstructure to the illustrated embodiment. Finally, “exemplary” indicatesthe description is used as an example, rather than implying that it isan ideal. Other embodiments of the present teachings will be apparent tothose skilled in the art from consideration of the specification andpractice of the disclosure herein. It is intended that the specificationand examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope andspirit of the present teachings being indicated by the following claims.

Terms of relative position as used in this application are defined basedon a plane parallel to the conventional plane or working surface of aworkpiece, regardless of the orientation of the workpiece. The term“horizontal” or “lateral” as used in this application is defined as aplane parallel to the conventional plane or working surface of aworkpiece, regardless of the orientation of the workpiece. The term“vertical” refers to a direction perpendicular to the horizontal. Termssuch as “on,” “side” (as in “sidewall”), “higher,” “lower,” “over,”“top,” and “under” are defined with respect to the conventional plane orworking surface being on the top surface of the workpiece, regardless ofthe orientation of the workpiece.

1. A method for printing, comprising: printing a first layer of materialhaving a first crystal structure onto a second layer of material havinga second crystal structure that is different from the first crystalstructure, wherein the first layer of material comprises a solvent; andsubsequent to printing the first layer of material, processing the firstlayer of material to remove the solvent, thereby converting the firstlayer of material from a liquid state to a solid state, whereinprocessing the first layer of material causes the crystal structure ofthe first layer of material to change from the first crystal structureto the second crystal structure through physical contact between thefirst layer of material and the second layer of material using thesecond layer of material as a crystal seed layer.
 2. The method of claim1, wherein the first layer of material and the second layer of materialare edible.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the second layer ofmaterial comprises a salt, and wherein the first layer of materialcomprises the salt dispersed in the solvent.
 4. The method of claim 1,wherein the second layer of material comprises a sugar, and wherein thefirst layer of material comprises the sugar dispersed in the solvent. 5.The method of claim 1, wherein the solvent comprises water.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the solvent comprises ethyl alcohol.
 7. Themethod of claim 6, further comprising removing ethyl alcohol effluent.8. The method of claim 1, wherein processing the first layer of materialto remove the solvent comprises heating the first layer using a heatsource.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein processing the first layer ofmaterial to remove the solvent comprises moving air around the firstlayer using a fan.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the first layer ofmaterial is printed using a drop-on-demand inkjet printer.
 11. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the first layer of material is printed usingan extrusion printer.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the secondcrystal structure comprises a single crystal.
 13. The method of claim 1,further comprising dehumidifying ambient air around the first layer ofmaterial during the processing of the first layer of material.
 14. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising heating the first layer ofmaterial to compensate for cooling caused by evaporation of the solvent.15. The method of claim 1, further comprising heating the first layer ofmaterial while cooling the first layer of material to increase a coolingtime of the first layer of material.
 16. A method for printing,comprising: printing a first layer of sugar dissolved in a solvent ontoa second layer of sugar, wherein the first layer of sugar has no crystalstructure, wherein the second layer of sugar has a single crystalstructure, wherein the solvent comprises water, ethyl alcohol, or both;and subsequent to printing, heating the first layer of sugar to removeat least a portion of the solvent, thereby converting the first layer ofsugar from a liquid state to a solid state, wherein the first layer ofsugar crystalizes onto the second layer of sugar through physicalcontact between the first layer of sugar and the second layer of sugarusing the second layer of sugar as a crystal seed layer.
 17. The methodof claim 16, further comprising dehumidifying ambient air around thefirst layer of sugar during the heating of the first layer of sugar. 18.A method for printing, comprising: printing a first layer of saltdissolved in a solvent onto a second layer of salt, wherein the firstlayer of salt has no crystal structure, wherein the second layer of salthas a single crystal structure, and wherein the solvent comprises water,ethyl alcohol, or both; and subsequent to printing, heating the firstlayer of salt to remove at least a portion of the solvent, therebyconverting the first layer of salt from a liquid state to a solid state,wherein the first layer of salt crystalizes onto the second layer ofsalt through physical contact between the first layer of salt and thesecond layer of salt using the second layer of salt as a crystal seedlayer.
 19. The method of claim 18, further comprising dehumidifyingambient air around the first layer of salt during the heating of thefirst layer of salt.